Art Jewelers Diamonds & Design

Creating Dreams in Precious Metals Since 1926

By Rajayne Cordery

Woodstock is home to one of the most awarded jewelry stores in Georgia. While Art Jewelers is truly a unique jewelry store, offering custom, one-of-a-kind creations, they actually cater to every customers needs and desires. Offering a wide selection of jewelry styles and items, they have something for everyone.

Operating in Woodstock since 1985, Art Jewelers is the largest, and likely the oldest, jewelry store in town. Owner of the family business, Dave Meadows, says:

I believe it is a great privilege to be in Woodstock. My customers are my friends and family. I get to be a part of their beginnings and each special event throughout their lifetime. It is truly an honor to share in their life story, whether its an engagement, an anniversary, a special birthday or some other life event.

Dave works alongside five of his nine children. Its not just a store to me, Dave explains; Its our lives. Its our passion, and we love sharing that with our community. Dave is a graduate gemologist through the Gemological Institute of America and certified by the National Association of Jewelry Appraisers. As a third generation Master Bench Jeweler, certified by LaserStar, Dave boasts over forty years of experience. Dave has been awarded Best in Show by the Georgia Jewelers Association for two years in a row. Dave, Jonathan and Malachi are all award-winning designers.

Dave is passionate about his occupation:

I have the privilege of dealing with some of the most fascinating creations of God. I think it is amazing that God formed gems and metals in the earth, hidden beauty for us to discover; these things bring glory to God. I believe God gives these building blocks to us and says, Have fun; make something. God takes joy in allowing us to participate in a creative process. Its a real joy, an honor and a pleasure to design with the gems and metals of Gods creation!

Art Jewelers is located next to the Target on Highway 92, off highway 575. The store has recently expanded, doubling both the shop and the showroom. 2017 plans include additional community involvement as well as increasing the customers ability to be more involved in the jewelry creation process.

Dave states:

Our expansion will create the ability to host educational events for kids. I have taught gemological-related classes at various schools, and we have worked with art teachers on several student projects. Most recently, we have been developing a design contest for the local high school students that we hope to roll out next year. It will be something great for the kids and maybe even benefit the parents of the winner!

Art Jewelers offers a wide range of services including repair, advanced laser repair, ring sizing, appraisals, engraving and restoration, among others. Store manager, son-in-law Andrew McDeermond quips, If it is jewelry, we do it.

What makes Art Jewelers different from other jewelry stores is that they offer an on-site, one-of-a-kind, custom design process. They create a one-of-a-kind jewelry piece, side-by-side with you.

Art Jewelers enables the creative expression of those wanting to design their own jewelry and also works with those needing design input. Many opt to re-design using their own stones, and even recasting their own gold, into fabulous new pieces; others desire to start anew. Andrew offers, I enjoy the sentiment that comes along with jewelry; family stories and memories are often retold, as we work on a new design. The design process begins as a customer shares ideas that are then transformed into a computer image. Once the design is solidified, a model is 3-D printed, allowing the customer to try on the piece. The model is what is used to convert the design into metal. Once cast in metal, the jewelry is polished, and stones are set. The customer is intricately involved from start to finish. In some cases, they are even hands-on with the casting process, holding the torch during the melt. Andrew elaborates, It is one thing to have something custom-designed, and have that special piece of your own; its even more exciting to say, I cast my own ring. Im in the industry, and I still think thats really cool.

Dave adds:

The industry is quite a combination of old-world trade skills and advanced technology. We may be cutting-edge on the latest technology, creating designs on the computer and printing on a 3-D printer, but there is still paper and pencil sketching, and much of the back room work is old-school crafting with a hammer and a torch, fabricating and forging the metal.

Art Jewelers is actively involved in charitable efforts in an orphanage in Ecuador and donates a portion of company profits accordingly. The family has personally invested their time and money, traveling each year to Ecuador, meeting needs in the orphanage as well as hands-on home construction and food distribution. The store carries a jewelry line crafted by a group of Ecuadorian women, and 50% of the proceeds go back to their country.

Do you like a party and jewelry? Art Jewelers is hosting several events in November, inviting one and all to join in the celebration! Upcoming events include an Open House Expansion Celebration on November 12th, from 10:00 am-6:00 pm, with food, drinks and fabulous door-prize giveaways. Ladies Night Out is scheduled for November 17th, from 6:00-8:00 pm, with food and drinks and glitzy prizes, while providing the opportunity to try on the showcased jewelry. Angelica explains, Everyone comes by for fun, food and giveaways! We help them create a wish list, so they are guaranteed to love Christmas morning. So many men say, Let me know when Ladies Night Out is; my wife will be there!

Dont miss out; go like Art Jewelers on Facebook, and sign up for their emails to be reminded of these and other upcoming events!

Art Jewelers Diamonds & Design
136 Woodstock Square Ave., Ste. 400
Woodstock, GA 30189
770-924-3133
ArtJewelers.com